United Nations calls for investigation of war crimes in Ukraine

The new report on the situation in Ukraine from the United Nations Commission for Human Rights was released on the 28 July. The report covers the period from 8 June to 15 July and documents how armed groups continue to abduct, detain, torture and execute people kept as hostages in order to intimidate and “to exercise their power over the population in raw and brutal ways.”

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has commented on the issuance of the report highlighting the downing of the Malaysian Airlines plane not covered by this report but requiring a “prompt, thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation.”

In general, the report indicates that the situation in Ukraine deteriorates quickly. “The reports of increasingly intense fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are extremely alarming,” – Ms. Pillay said. “Already increasing numbers of people are being killed with serious damage to civilian infrastructure, which – depending on circumstances – could amount to violations of international humanitarian law. The fighting must stop.”

“I would like to stress to all those involved in the conflict, including foreign fighters, that every effort will be made to ensure that anyone committing serious violations of international law, including war crimes, will be brought to justice, no matter who they are,” – Navi Pillay said. “I urge all sides to bring to an end the rule of the gun and restore respect for the rule of law and human rights.”